Many UK families have cancelled half-term trips to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands because children over 12 must be double vaccinated to enter, according to travel agents and hoteliers.
Hoteliers in the Canary Islands say the restrictions have lost them millions of pounds' worth of trade and have called on the Spanish government to relax its rules to allow in more British travellers. Europe's largest tour operator TUI says Mexico and Turkey are proving popular alternatives as families seek test-free holidays.
Hazel Bryant, an independent travel agent in Hertfordshire, said half of her clients had changed plans due to Spain's vaccination policy for children. “The reasons are, they're not double vaccinated or because they've had Covid in the last six weeks – which means they haven't gone for their second jab. Spain will not allow them in,” she said. Ben Fishlock, who booked a trip to Gran Canaria for February last year, had to cancel again because his 12-year-old son had not had his second vaccination in time.
Jorge Marichal, president of the Tenerife Hoteliers Association, said the loss could be nearly 400 million euros in the Canary Islands. “For us the British market is the biggest one. We have more than 2.5 million British citizens coming to Tenerife every normal year. For us this part of the year is one of the most important. All these profits will be lost,” he said.
TUI said recent rule changes were “a huge leap forwards in getting travel back to normal” and that bookings for February half-term and Easter holidays are comparable to 2019, with Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cape Verde and the Canaries the most popular destinations.
